How to Transfer a Car Title in Colorado

A title transfer in Coloradois a procedure that vehicle owners need to perform in order to transfer the ownership rights of a motor vehicle from one legal entity to another. ...Read More

Motorists may transfer a car title through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which is part of the Colorado Department of Revenue (CO DOR).

In order to perform a DMV title transfer, motorists must satisfy a set of requirements and prepare certain documentation. That paperwork typically includes a title certificate, which is thelegal and official document for vehicle owners to verify their ownership of a car. Thus, a car title is commonly used during transfer procedures, since it records the financial details about a vehicle sale and the personal information regardingthe legal parties involved in an exchange.

Colorado vehicle owners are required to perform a cartitle transferprocedure when the ownership rights of a vehicle are transferred to a new legal entity, regardless of whether or not the vehicle was purchased in a private sale. In addition, motorists may have to transfer the title of a motor vehicle that they received as part of an inheritance, as a gift or as a donation. Regardless of the reason for performing an auto title transferprocedure, drivers will be required to satisfy the following requirements:

Submit a complete certificate of title that includes the seller’s and the buyer’s names and signatures, purchase date, purchase price and complete odometer disclosure

Provide a bill of sale containing details about the vehicle and the sale

Submit proof a vehicle identification number (VIN) verification

Provide proof of a valid car insurance coverage

Submit an emissions inspection certificate, if required

After gathering the abovementioned paperwork for aColorado vehicle title transfer, car owners must submit them in person at a local DMV branch along with a payment method for the applicable transfer fees. Furthermore, prior to transferring the certificate of title at the DMV, motorists are encouraged to ensure that they have obtained any additional paperwork needed for a successful procedure. That is because aDMV title transfermay be performed under different circumstances and require motorists to submit additional documents. For instance, transferring the title of an inherited motor vehicle may require new owners to submit the death certificate of the original owner and possible court orders that grant them ownership rights.

Note: When selling a motor vehicle, sellers may keep the license plates after removing them from the vehicle in question. Thus, new owners may put their own plates in the car.